'AMRUT MITTI'lN SIX STEPS

A Soil Building Technique in Natueco Farming

Natueco Farming is a method of eco-friendly organic farming practiced by understanding

Nature. Professor Sripad Dabholkar introduced the Natueco Farming anO its techniques in early 1gg0.
It is based on knowledge inputs & experiments shared by Natueco farmers to enhance the practice in
an eco-friendly way.
ln Natueco Farming the soil is prepared through a special technique of soil building developed
oy obseiving nature, tne i-esuiiing soii is termed as Amrut Mitti lt is observed that Arirut Mitti, is
nutrient-rich soil that has abundant diverse microbial life, supporting healthy plant growth.

The special technique to prepare Amrut Mitti is described here in six steps.

OBSERVE NATURE STEP ONE

First let us understand how fertile soil is formed in nature for plant growth. lt is observed that, the soil
with necessary elements required for plant growth, forms on its own with available local resources.
Plant life flourishes in it.
Through rvind the dry & wet leaves. flowers, fruits, seeds, twigs, shredded bark, branches. etc. are
blown randomly forming multiple layers of mulch (covering) ovei the top soil, thus keeping the top soil
unexposed to sunlight and retaining moisture in it. A natural process of soil building takeJplace within
the biomass that remains sandwiched between the top soil and the uppermost liyer of mulch. This
biomass which also includes other organic matter (excreta, urine, dead creatures, eic) is decomposed
and broken down by various microbes present, the other living creatures that are preient also help to
breakdcwn by walking, eating, cuttirrg, #spcrsiirg,'etc. Tiie faiien seeds, under iavourable conditions
begin germinating, few start growing and many perish at different stages and add to the biomass for
decomposition. The decomposed matter receives the required suniight, moisture & air naturally.
Ultimately it is converted into soil that is rich in nutrients required for plant growth. This process
continues throughout the year.

Biomass, Topsoil. Mulching, Microbes, Seed Germination, Decomposition, Sunlight, Moisture, Air
+ Nature's Soil

FOLLOW NATURE STEP TWO

We follow nature's method of soil building to prepare our nutrient-rich soil, 'Amrut Mitti'. Nature
observation reveals that to prepare ideal soil, required ingredients need to;
- stimulate microbial afi;vity for decomposition
- support diverse microbial growth
- provide essential elements for plant growth
- include diverse green & dry biomass
-include seed germination of diverse plant species
I
- include top soil
- be used as mulch.
- maintain favorable conditions for moisture & air to percolate & diffuse
- be easily available, local resources.
ln addition to the above.requirements, an ingredientthat expedites the process of soil building is also
required so that Amrut Mitti is ready in a short period of time.
 .i,,;.'=.i iC*tF .}H-*EE i
The ingredients needed to fulfill the above requirement are; Amrut Jal, Green and Dry Biomass, Top
Soil, Viriety of Seeds ind Dry Organic matter. All the ingredients are naturally occurring resources
that can be easily acquired exceptAmrut Jalwhich needs to be prepared.
AMRUT JAL
Amrut Jal is a liquid solution comprised of cow urine, fresh cow dung, organic black jaggery & water.
Five minutes preparation, three days observation and Amrut Jal is ready for use on the fou(h day.
. Mix together Ten (10) litres of Water, One (1) litre of Cow Urine, One (1) kg of Fresh Cow
Dung and Fifty (50) grams of Organic Black Jaggery.
. Keep thiq solution for three (3) days,
. Stir this sotution twice or thrice each day - stir twelve (12) times clock wise and twelve (12)
times anti-clock wise on each occasion.
. On the fourth (+h) day, the concentrated solution is ready.
. Mix one (1 ) part of this concentrated solution with ten (10) parts of water. Amrut Jal is ready.
- Note -
> Cow dung contains millions of microbes, Jaggery aids fermentation that helps microbes to multiply,
Cow urine-provides numerous nutrients to microbes that speed up decomposltion-process. The
microbial aitivity is highest on the fourth (4h) day and starts declining thereafter. Therefore,.Amrut Jal
should be used on tourtn day to give its best result. lt can be stored for maximum period of two to
three days.
> ln case Black jaggery is unavailable it can be replaced with six (6) over ripe bananas or two (2)
glasses of plain irllr iane juice or six (6) pieces of over ripe jackfruit or other over ripe sweet ftuit
that is locally available.
> Cow dung, if unavailable can be replaced with dung of any other herbivorous animal.
> Make sure the rest of the ingredients are made available before Amrut Jal is prepared.
> Arnrut Jal is required e number af times dr-uing the whole process of preparing Amrut Mitti, therefore
read the whole piocedure properly, note when it may be required and accorcjingly prepare Amrut Jal
and keep ready for use.

One part of Concentrated Solution + Ten parts of Water s Amrut Jal

i(tfg fresn Cow dung+'1ltr.Cow urine+'t0lts.Water+Sg gms.Organic Black Jaggery)
i nrrut Jal $ Accelerating Agent for Decomposition by Various Beneficial Microbes

GREEN & DRY BIOMASS

. The green bionlass is the tender and mature leaves obtained from nearby plants either by
pruning or from freshly fallen branches / twigs, weeds.
. The dry biomass refers to fallen dry leaf litter.
. Both Green & Dry Biomass have to be dried before use. Dry till it reaches a stage of being
easily crusheO anO *e waxy coating on veins of the leaves is broken so that the leaves can
easily absorb Amrut Jalwhen soaked in it.
. Mix Dried Green Biomass & Dry Biomass in equal proportion.
- Note -
> Collect biomass of diverse plants such as herbs, shrubs, grasses, trees, climbers, creepers'
runners, etc. so that different nutrients irom various plants are obtained to prepare Amrut Mitti.
I
> Biomass collection may include other parts of the plants but ensure collection of leaves in large
quantity.
> For good soil structure both dry & green biomass are required but if green biomass is unavailable,
,":
"lyj'y
biol1.,._lo_I'tirl1h9p'1T..j " -.. _,

Dry & Dried Green Biomass of Diverse Plants c) Various Nutrients in Amrut ,'Ur,
_ __]
TOP SOIL
.\
trees/ in
Without digging, just scrape (onfy fhe cm) layer of any unturned soil found under the bushes/
2
nooks & corners from the path of flowing water/ unexposed soil that lies beneath the layers of fallen
leaf litter'
- Note -
> lf the soil has too much clay, add Ten percent (10%) river sand (coarse) to avoid hardening of
compost with time. Similarly if the soil has too much sand, add river silt (fine) or clay soil in order to
create the proper structure of soil. River sand can be acquired from river beds or from suppliers of
construction material. Sea sand can be washed properly and used if river sand is unavailable.
> ln case top soil is unavailable, use red soil sold at nurseries.

Iop Soil 0 Essential Minerals & Dormant Beneficial Microbes

VARIETY OF SEEDS
Collect a mixed variety of seeds of diverse plants that are locally available. Selection should ideally
include - fruits, vegetables, leafy vegetables, herbs, grains, pulses, big trees, oil-plants, spices, etc.
viz. papaya, tomato, chilli, cucumber, methi, ambadi, varyali or saunf, adulsa, amli, rice,jowar, maize,
wheat, moong, urad, drumsticks, neem, groundnuts, erandi, rai, jeera, dhaniya, etc. They could also
be selected as per the different tastes that the plants offer such as; sweet - varyali/saunf, sour -
tamarind, tomato, ambadi, pungent - chilli, astringent - gawar, salty - spinach, rajgara, bitter- karela,
methi, elc.

S_$tgl_Oly:i:: Ilrnt" + Various Nutrients & Diverse Species of Microbes in Amrut Mitti
_l

DRY ORGANTC MATTER (MULCH)

Collect dry organic matter such as straws, leaves, grass, stems, twigs, plants, shredded bark,
branches, etc. to be used as mulch (a covering over the soil/compost that lies beneath).
- Note -
>ln the whole process of preparing Amrut mitti, dry organic matter will be required a number of times
for mulching. Therefore note the procedure properly and accordingly keep it ready for use well in
advance.

D1r Cr'3;:nic matter (1,'! ;ich) ri fl4ri5,l.11;,*s rqtr+:rtii:r. 'P"eve.:iion +f ti:el;rorrth cf +ret'ils and Prolpctlan
to Soil and its microbes from direct sunii.qht

Once all the ingredients are collected, get started to prepare Amrut Mitti.

GET STARTED STEP FOUR

Start the process of preparing of Amrut Mitti with Soaking, then follow with Heap making, First
Composting, Greening, and finally Second Composting. Amrut tvlitti will then be ready.

SOAKING
. The collected biomass has to be crushedibroken/twisted to increase absorption of Amrut Jal.
. Soak the biomass in Amrut Jal for twenty four hours. By soaking it for twenty four hours all the
veins & the branchet will get saturated with Amrut Jal.
. After twenty four (24) hours of soaking start preparing heap.

Biomass crushed/broken/twisted and then soaked in Amrut Jal for 24 hours

HEAP MAKIIqG
Prepare heap of the soaked biomass having an approxinrate size of Three (3)ft. in width, One (1)
height and of any desired length.
. Form first-layer of the soaked biomass by spreading it on the selected area.
. Sprinkle a thin layer of topsoil over it.
. Repeat the above procedure by alternating the layers, pressing them downwards tightly by
gently walking or dancing over the heap until a height of One (1) ft. is reached.
. After the heap is ready, keep it mulched with dry organic matter and allow it to compost
 - Note -
> Always keep the heap mulched with dry organic matter and not directly exposed to sunlight.

> Alternating the lay6rs brings Top soil and Amrut Jal soaked Biomass in contact with each other,
thereby enhancing the process of decomposition

lg"q gi! ft. ryllh X 1 ft ht. Multiple Layers of Amrut Jal soaked Biomass and sprinkled Top Soil
FIRST COMPOSTING
. Keep the heap for composting for Thirty (30) days.
. Every seventh day till (mix) the heap. Ensure mulching after tilling.
. Sprinkle with Amrgt Jal from time_to time L-o maintain thefl_olgture__oJthe_hggpand the
microbial activity.
. After an average of Thirty (30) days (depends on leaf type and climate) it gets converted to
soil.
. Amrut Mitti is ready. Keep it mulched with dry organic matter.
- Note-
> Good compost should never stink. Stink indicates that decomposition is not taking place and
attention is required (Check the aeration or the moisture content).
> The heap has to be kept moist and not soggy so sprinkle Amrut Jal only when required.
> Though the Amrut Mitti is ready in an average of Thirty (30) days, it has to be further treated to
ensure complete nutrient availability, diverse beneficial microbes and good structure of soil. Whether
to continue or discontinue is an option when mixture of green & dry biomass are used but it is a must
when only dry biomass is used. ln either case experts recommend that it is good to adopt the whole
process.

Heap kept for 30 Days, Tilled every 7th day and Amrut Jal sprinkled when required to maintain
moisture and microbialactivity in the heap

GREENING
Greening is a seventy (70) day process, beginning with sowing seeds and then pruning the grown
plants thrice at intervals of twenty one (21) days.

Beqin bv - Sowinq of seed soaked in Amrut Jal in the heao.

. Soak the collected seeds of different plant species in Arnrut Jal for Eight (8) hours.
. of two to three inches from top of the
Sow these seeds in the heap (restrict it to a depth
heap) and ensure approximately ten grams (1Ogms) of seeds are sown in every square feet
. Keep the heap mulched by two to four inches of dry organic matter.
. Sprinkle with Amrut Jal from time to time to maintain the moisture of the heap and the
microbialactivity.
r.,
. Continue for Twenty one days after sprouting of the seeds.

First lnterval of Twentv One (21 ) davs after soroutino - First Prunino
On the 21't day, the seeds must have grown into seedlings.
. The seedlings have to be pruned to get the tender shoots. Prune upper approx. twenty five
7 percent (25%) oi the seediings and not the entire plant to ensure collection of tender shoots of
the plants.
. While pru_ning take care not to disturb the roots & the lower part of the stem, so that the plants
grow again.
.Thecuttingshavetobespreadoverthemulchontheheap.
r Keep forTwenty one days.
This will enrich the heap with the nutrients of the tender shoots that are zinc, boron, phosphate and
molybdenum.
Second Interval of Twentv One (21) davs - Second Pruninq
On the 42nd day, the plants must have grown into saplings with matured leaves.
. The saplings have to be pruned to get the mature green leaves. Prune approx. upper twenty
five percent (25o/o) of the saplings and not the entire plant to ensure collection of mature
leaves of the plants.
. While pruning take care not to disturb the roots & the lower part of the stem, so that the plants
grow again.
. The cuttings have to be spread over the mulch on the heap.
. Keep forTwenty one days.
This will enrich the heap with the nutrientS of nratured green leaves that ar e nitrogen, magnesium and
potash.

Third lnterval of Twentv One (21) davs - Third Pruninq

On the 63d day, the plants would have grown to a good height and started flowering.
. The flowering plants have to be pruned. Prune the entire plant leaving approx. half inch (1/2")
of the stem above ground without disturbing the roots.
. Keep the cuttings for drying for three (3) to four (4) days
. After fully dried, crush/breaUtwist for better absorption and immerse it in Amrut Jal for Eight
(8) hours
. Mix into the heap.
. Keep the heap mulched with dry organic matter and allow to compost.
Cutting & recycling all the parts of the plants will add to the nutrients in the heap. The recycling of the
roots will enrich the heap with wide variety of microbes as the microbial activity near the root zone is
at its peak when the plants are in flowering state.
- Note -
> ln greening, it is not important whetirer pieRts grbw vi$brorlsty or fenninate anci 6ie or are Suffering
in keen competition. These plants are grown to be used as nutrient & microbe rich resource for the
preparation of Amrut Mitti

1s day - Seeds of mixed species soaked in Amrut Jal for 8 hrs., then sowed in the heap, Kept for 21
days after sprouting
21* day - Pruning of upper 25o/o of lhe seedlings to get Tender shoots, the cuttings spread over the
mulch on the heap, Kept for 21 days.
42nd day - Pruning of upper 25o/o ol the saplings to get Matured Green Leaves, the cuttings spread
over the mulch on the heap, Kept for 21 days.
63'd day- Pruning of flowering plants, Kept to dry for 3-4 days, Dried plants crushed / twisted /
broken, Soaked in Amrut Jal for 8 hrs., Mixed in the heap, Mulched with dry organic mafter, Kept for
composting

SECOND COMPOSTING
. The heap resulting from Greening has to be kept for Thirty (30) days for composting
. Every seventh day till (mix) the heap. Ensure mulching after tilling.
. ,sprinkle with Amrut Jal from timq to tifne tro maintain the moisture of the heap and microbial
activity.
. After Thirty days, nutrient rich living soil, Amrut Mitti is finally ready.
. Keep theA-nrrut mitti mulched with dry organic matter.
- Note -
> Good compost should never stink. Stink indicates that decomposition is not taking place properly
and attention is required (You may check the aeration or the moisture content).
> The heap has to be kept moist an(,not soggy so sprinkle Amrut mitti only when required.
 Heap kept for 30 days, Tilled every 7th day and Amrut Jal sprinkled when required to maintain to
r maintain moisture and microbial activity in the heap

Though Amrut Mitti is reddy we have still two important steps.

ADD MAGIC TOUCH . STEP FIVE

Throughout the process; from steps one to four, keep adding the magic touch of 'Yourself'. You need
to add a part of you in the process of soil building by passing your positive energy into it. Your attitude
has to be that of gratitude to the matter that is being collected, mixed and prepared, so that positive
energy is exchanged and the matter works faster & finer to bring abundance.

Your Magiq Touch (Positive Attitude & Gratitude) * Positive Ener-oy inAmrut Mittl - l

EXPERIENCE & EXPLORE STEP SIX

With experience you may explore new avenues to enhance Amrut Mitti but remember Mother Nature's
soil is always the very best. So let her be your guide, follow her as a true learner and there will be
abundance for sure.

>Observe Nature >Follow Nature >Collect lngredients

>Get Started >Add Magic Touch >Experience & Explore

I Thes< six steps lead to the creation of Amrut Mitti which will increase the yields of your plants and
These
will be rewarding & fulfilling for you, once you start practicing it.

AMRUT MITTI
. A measure of one litre of good Amrut Mitti should weigh about four hundred (400) grams. A
higher weight implies that the mineral content is too high. ln case the weight is higher, then
add more organic matter to it.
. Amrut Mitti should smell like soil in first rain
. lt should be crumbly, loose & unbinding such that you are unable to make balls (/adoos) out of
it. ln case the soil is not loose and forms stable balls then add either coarse river sand or
washed sea sand till the desired soil structure is achieved.
. Always keep Amrut Mitti mulched with dry organic matter. Even when used for planting ensure
dry mulching.
Amrut Mitti is one of the techniques that has developed through experiments and sharing by the
Natueco farmers using a unique methodology called Prayog Pariwar or the Networking of Self-
Experimenting Learners. Prayog signifies experiment and Pariwar means the networking family.
People share the results of their experiments & experiences with each other so as to solve their
farming problems. We have an online group www.cityfarmers@yahoogroups.com which is
created for networking and sharing experiences, knowledge and skills with each other. As you
practice the six steps for Amn-tfiitti, it would be interesting to hear about your experience.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dipak puchade Preeti Patil
Natueco Farming Expert Natueco City Farmer
CEO, MALPANITRUST Honorary Technical Advisor, URBAN
Email : deepaksuchde@gmail.com An lnitiative of Vidya Varidhi Trust
Mobile: +919329570960, 9826054388 Email : urbanleaves @gmail.com
www.natuecofarmingscience.com Mobile: +91 9819197071
www.prayogpariwar.net www. natuecocityf a rm ing. blogspot.com
www.sharan-india.org www. urba nleavesinindia. blogspot.com

Design & Concept by'Nurturiflg Grounds' (tejal@nurturinggrounds.com, 09833707598)

6
t-

Seeds used for greening in the making of Amrut Mitti

Amrut Mitti Made from October to January

(GreeninF in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb)
Sweet Fennel/ Saunf
Bitter Fenugreek/Methi
Sour Tomato, Ambat chuka
Salty Palakl Amaranth
Pungent chiili
Oilseed Mustard
N2 Fixing ehanna, Rajma;
Grain Wheat

Amrut Mitti Made from February to Apr

(Greening in March, Apr, Mav)
Sweet FenneU Saunf
Bitter Fenugreek/Methi, Karela
Sour Ambat chuka, Ambadi
Salty Palak/ Amaranth
Pungent chilli
Oilseed Grou nd nut
N2 Fixing ( Chawli Bean
Grain Jowar
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